My Heroes

Well lately My grandparents have been on my mind and I couldn't help but to write a blog solely dedicated to them, My Heroes. All my life I have heard stories, amazing and miraculous stories of these two beings. Unfortunately I was only able to meet them on rare occasions. How I wish I could have spent more precious time with them and learn to know them more personally versus hearing about their lives through the mouths of others. As much as I have felt these longings I can strongly say that my wishes to have spent more time with them aren't nearly as over as I thought. Recently attending the Salt Lake Temple I contemplated the memories I had of my Grandparents and I tried to remember the personal times I've spent with them. I remembered my grandfather Iohani urging me to one day get married in the Salt Lake Temple. I remember the blessings he said that I would recieve if I did so. I prayed very calmed and relaxed as I sat in the Celestial Room. Never before had I felt the spirit lift me in such a way that I felt almost a constant burning in my chest. I knew at that moment that they were not dead but as alive as I was and that they were there in the Temple with me. I felt as if my Grandma was sitting next to me with her hand in mine. I even had a glimpse as I prayed of Grandpa Iohani lifting Grandma up and dancing around in the room as they did when they were alive on earth. This brought tears to my eyes and I knew that I was in the right place. It also testified to me the glory and power of The Eternal Family and how central and important it is to our Heavenly Father. On an audio tape that my brother Leroy recorded years back, I believe in the Dayton Minnesota home, grandpa said in his strong voice, "If you obey the lord and keep his commandments and live your life righteously to the end, you will reign in the House of God Forever and Ever!" I never really understood that fully, as easy as it sounds, until now that I have gone through the Temple. As sad as I was to see them both go...... I am more fulfilled and joyful to feel their presence in the Temple and to know that they are Alive and well fulfilling the lords work on the other side. I am truly blessed to have been placed in a family where the gospel resides and where I am honored to have had Grandparents as faithful as they were. I look up to them and strive in my everyday life to be more like them as in their life they strove to be more like our Savior Jesus Christ. Someone once said that the secret of life is......That You must know your beginning before you know your end. These were the exact words of Grandpa Iohani. Where we come from and whom we are trying to become and what blessings follow is what I believe Iohani was trying to say. Im only beginning to barely understand this saying and it will take my whole life to fully live up to it and to fully comprehend its meaning. These two precious Children of Heavenly Father, simple and humble in every way, physically poor all their lives, but ever so faithful,strong,and very rich in the spirit are my true Heroes.